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The Canadian government has announced it is barring senior Ukrainian officials from entering the country, in response to violent clashes between protesters and police in Kyiv.

"Effective immediately, we will restrict entry to Canada for key Ukrainian government officials that have been responsible for the oppression and silencing of opposition voices," Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said Tuesday afternoon.

Alexander said the government was compelled to take action following "utterly deplorable" and "recent actions by members of Ukraine's ruling elite in the face of popular and growing protests."

Alexander was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird who warned Ukraine of further sanctions.

Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander is introducing changes to Canada's citizenship rules today in what the government is calling "the first comprehensive reform to the Citizenship Act in more than a generation​." (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

​"I think this is an important step. We'll obviously continue to follow it and increase action if and when it is required," Baird said

Baird said the Canadian government is monitoring the situation in Ukraine on an hour-by-hour basis.

"This is not a final step for Canada, this is just another process in our engagement and support of freedom and prosperity in Ukraine."

Baird said he had been in touch with Catherine Ashton, the European Union's representative responsible for foreign affairs and security policy, in the hour before Canada's announcement. He said he would also be in touch with U.S. officials.